King beseeches Belgian politicians to compromise on new government

Fri, 24 Dec 2010

Brussels - Belgium's King Albert II used his Christmas speech on Friday to call upon politicians to show willingness to compromise, as the country approaches seven months without an elected government.

Belgium achieved good compromises between the European Union's 27 members while holding the bloc's rotating presidency, he noted.

"And yet it looks to me like we have somewhat forgotten the art of compromise within our own country in the past few years," he said.

Since parliamentary elections were held in mid-June, the Dutch- speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons have been unable to agree on national reforms, the prerequisite for the formation of a new government.

An interim government led by Yves Leterme has been in place for the entirety of Belgium's EU presidency.

King Albert said he was addressing his "ceremonial plea" mostly to political leaders, but also to all other social groups.

A compromise had to be found that meets the legitimate demands of all those involved, he said.

"We have to find solutions that make everyone a winner," he added, ending the address in German, Belgium's third official language. "We all have to get up the nerve to be peacemakers, with our actions and our approaches."

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/359624,politicians-compromise-new-government.html.